Maritime spatial planning

The purpose of maritime spatial planning is to promote the sustainable development and growth of the different uses of maritime space, sustainable use of natural resources, and achievement of a good status for the marine environment.

The responsibility for the preparation and approval of Finland’s Maritime Spatial Plan rests with the Regional Councils of the coastal area. The plan covers the whole sea area of Finland and it is prepared in three parts. The three areas for the planning process are the Gulf of Finland, the Archipelago Sea and southern Bothnian Sea, and the northern Bothnian Sea, Kvarken and Bothnian Bay. 

Åland has a plan of its own.

The tasks of the Ministry of the Environment include the general development and guidance of maritime spatial planning and international cooperation.

The Maritime Spatial Plan sets out the broad guidelines for coordinating the use of maritime space by different sectors, including energy production, maritime transport, fishing and aquaculture, tourism and recreation, as well as the conservation, protection and improvement of the natural environment. The needs relating to cultural heritage, mineral extraction, blue biotechnology and maritime industry are taken into account. Other matters to be considered include the needs relating to national defence, special characteristics of the maritime space and interaction between land and sea.

The Maritime Spatial Plan is prepared in broad cooperation between the Regional Councils and different stakeholders.

The Maritime spatial plan 2030 was approved on 15th of December 2020. The drafting process of the Maritime Spatial Plan 2030 started with a survey of the current situation, followed by the specification of a vision, scenarios and targets for individual sectors together with the relevant stakeholders. Two public hearings were held, first on survey of the current situation and scenarios and again on the draft plan on 18 May – 17 June 2020.

• Read more about the Maritime Spatial Plan 2030 at www.merialuesuunnitelma.fi
• You can also join the cooperation network for maritime spatial planning on our website at merialuesuunnittelu.fi.

Maritime spatial planning is based on the EU Directive establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning (2014/89/EU). In Finland the provisions on this are laid down in the Land Use and Building Act (482/2016).